Bec Goddard describes Erin Phillips’ match-winning goal against Carlton as ‘really special’

ADELAIDE coach Bec Goddard described Erin Phillips’ match-winning goal against Carlton as “really special’’ and one for the AFLW’s highlights reel.

Erin Phillips celebrates putting the Crows in front. Picture: Sarah Reed

ADELAIDE coach Bec Goddard described Erin Phillips’ matchwinning goal against Carlton as “really special’’ and one for the AFLW’s highlights reel.

“It was something that everyone will enjoying watching later,’’ she said after Phillips’ 60-metre, final-quarter goal ensured the Crows’ kept their unbeaten run in tact with a nailbiting three-point win at Thebarton Oval.

“It was an absolute thriller and credit to Carlton for the defensive pressure they put on in the first half.’’

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Adelaide took nearly three quarters to kick its first of two goals and trailed until the final term against a team considered one of their biggest flag threats.

“Part of our game plan is to go with speed and Carlton, to their credit, set up very well, which slowed us right down,’’ Goddard said.

“(Kellie) Gibson’s injury (in the first minute) threw us off a little bit but no excuses because Carlton were better (early), got numbers behind a lot quicker than us and we didn’t adapt as quickly as we would liked.

Erin Phillips and Bec Goddard after the win. Picture: Sarah Reed

“The second half certainly turned around there.’’

Goddard said Sally Riley’s third quarter goal that broke the Crows’ goal drought sparked her team into action.

“That third quarter goal was a big one and set us up going into the last with our tails up,’’ she said.

“We knew at three-quarter time the foot was on the goose’s neck and it was up to us as to whether we put the foot down and the girls put the foot down.’’

Goddard said Adelaide was able to lift its pressure rate in the third term and then use its renowned speed to break away from the Blues.

Carlton coach Damien Keeping was pleased with his side’s display, saying the narrow result came down to one or two moments, such as Phillips’ spectacular goal.

“As we expected it was a really contested game and one or two little things can influence the contest significantly,’’ he said.

“We are seeing it every game, in these shorter games, where one or two individual performances out of the blue can influence the result.’’

Originally published as Bec Goddard describes Erin Phillips’ match-winning goal against Carlton as ‘really special’